“Last year, we received more than 8,800 entries—by far our most ever, and almost too many for our staff to handle,” said Greg Jenkins, editor of the national-award-winning monthly. “In response, we are reducing the number of photos that an individual can enter in a single category from three to two.”

Founding partner, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, returns as a co-sponsor, as does the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Great Outdoor Provision Co. returns as a corporate sponsor. Another important co-sponsor returning for the second year is UNC-TV, with entertaining and educational programming about the state’s wonderful natural resources.

“These sponsors are valuable resources on so many levels,” Jenkins said. “The museum is a fantastic place to learn about the state’s wildlife and habitats. Our outstanding state parks are ideal places for photography, and park rangers can give photographers expert advice on the best subjects and the best times and places to get that ideal image.”

All winners will be published in the January 2011 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine, with the grand prize appearing as the cover illustration. Thanks to exhibition sponsor, JW Photo Labs of Raleigh, the winners will be exhibited at the Museum of Natural Sciences and at other science museums and wildlife education centers across the state in 2011.

The deadline for entry is Sept. 1. Rules, more information and entry forms are available here.